Ingatestone station now hosts a plaque to honour Dorothy Wadham, founder of Wadham College, Oxford.
Greater Anglia staff worked with the Essex Women’s Commemorative Project (EWCP) to put up the plaque.
The station sits on land once owned by Dorothy’s father Sir William Petre.
The ticket office, built in 1846, mirrors the architecture of Ingatestone Hall and was rejuvenated by Greater Anglia between 2015 and 2017.
Dorothy, born more than four centuries ago, was raised by Sir William’s second wife and likely educated at Ingatestone Hall.
In 1609, her husband, Nicholas Wadham, left her his fortune and instructions to endow a college in Oxford.
At 75, she founded the college in April 1613, becoming the first woman outside the royal family or titled aristocracy to establish a college at Oxford or Cambridge.
Alan Neville, Greater Anglia’s customer and community engagement manager, said: “We hope that the blue plaque will add something special to the station, and encourage more passengers to venture out there, read from the history boards and learn about Dorothy’s connection with Ingatestone Hall.”
The EWCP, set up in 2021 by the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, aims to identify and publicly recognise inspirational Essex women overlooked by history.
The plaque will be officially unveiled by the Lord Lieutenant of Essex on April 16 at 12pm.
The event will be hosted by organisations, including the Ingatestone and Fryerning Parish Council.
Councillor Darryl Sankey, lead councillor on the project for the council, said: “Ingatestone and Fryerning Parish Council are delighted to have been involved in this worthy project, commemorating the historic achievements of many Essex women.
“Dorothy Wadham was an extraordinary and forward-thinking woman who lived in Ingatestone and founded Wadham College, Oxford.
“It is only fitting that a blue plaque recognising her legacy is installed in her home village and we thank Greater Anglia for their support in siting it at Ingatestone station.”
